2 new Worcester State deans step down

WORCESTER — Two Worcester State University academic deans have left their posts unexpectedly just over a year after being hired by the school.

Frank R. Hall, former dean of the School of Health, Education and Natural Sciences, and Charles R. Fox, former dean of the School of Humanities and Social Science, both started in July 2012.

Mr. Hall came to Worcester from Texas A&M University. Mr. Fox's previous job was at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.

The resignations of two of the school's highest-ranking academic officials, effective with the start of the fall semester Sept. 4, were announced by Provost Charles Collum in a July 31 email to faculty members.

Both earned $125,000 as deans and will now join the faculty as professors making $100,000, far higher than the usual starting rate for a new professor, according to Donald Bullens, president of the faculty union and a professor of communications.

School officials declined to give a reason for the resignations, beyond saying it was the two men's own decisions.

Mr. Bullens cast doubt on that official comment.

"They resigned. That's the official statement," he said. "But isn't it coincidental that two people resigned at the same time?"

Mr. Hall did not respond to a request for comment.

Mr. Fox suggested in an email the moves were related to grievances filed against Mr. Collum, the school's vice president for academic affairs.

Carl Herrin, a spokesman for WSU President Barry Maloney, declined to discuss the reasons for the resignations or the existence or substance of any grievances involving Mr. Collum, saying they were private personnel matters.

School officials said Mr. Collum was not available for comment.

In the July email announcing the moves, Mr. Collum said Mr. Fox will join the faculty of the psychology department and Mr. Hall will become a professor in the Department of Physical and Earth Sciences.

Worcester State officials plan to conduct "a full national search" for a permanent dean of Humanities and Health Sciences starting in the fall semester, Mr. Collum said in the email.

Pending approval by the trustees, Mr. Hall's position will be assumed next month by Linda Larivee, now chairman of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and former interim dean of the School of Health, Education and Natural Sciences.

Contact Shaun Sutner at ssutner@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @ssutner.